Shanghai 13 • 上海灘十三太保 (1984)

Shanghai 13 (1984), also released as Shanghai Thirteen, The Shanghai Thirteen, and Shang Hai Tan Shi San Tai Bao (上海灘十三太保), is a Hong Kong martial arts classic directed by legendary filmmaker Chang Cheh. Featuring an extraordinary ensemble cast including Jimmy Wang Yu, Ti Lung, Chiang Sheng, Chen Kuan Tai, Danny Lee Sau-yin, David Chiang, Lu Feng, Sun Chien, Philip Kwok, and Lo Mang, the film brings together several legendary stars of Hong Kong action cinema. Packed with assassins, traditional weapons, brutal fights, and Chang Cheh's signature action style, Shanghai 13 is a standout for collectors of rare Hong Kong martial arts and classic kung fu movies.

STORY OVERVIEW

As political unrest spreads across China during the Republican era, a patriotic courier named Gau is entrusted with escorting a prominent statesman and sensitive documents safely to Hong Kong. Standing in his way are the Shanghai Thirteen, a deadly group of assassins, mercenaries, and martial artists hired to stop him.

Outnumbered and surrounded by dangerous fighters, Gau must survive one deadly encounter after another while trying to complete his mission. With loyalties constantly shifting, every member of the Shanghai Thirteen presents a different threat, leading to a series of fierce confrontations and an explosive final battle.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

Shanghai 13 delivers the kind of ensemble action that made classic Hong Kong kung fu movies famous. Chang Cheh fills the film with traditional weapons, hand-to-hand combat, one-on-one duels, and large group fights, giving Jimmy Wang Yu, Ti Lung, David Chiang, Chen Kuan Tai, and members of the Venom Mob plenty of opportunities to showcase their skills.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors value Shanghai 13 for its remarkable cast and the chance to see so many familiar faces from Hong Kong's golden age of martial arts cinema together in one film. Fans of Shaw Brothers Movies and classic kung fu movies will recognize many of the performers, while Chang Cheh's tough, fast-moving action gives the film plenty of old-school appeal.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released near the end of Chang Cheh's directing career, Shanghai 13 brought together actors who had helped shape Hong Kong martial arts cinema throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Its impressive lineup of Shaw Brothers veterans, Venom Mob members, and independent action stars makes it an important title for collectors of classic Hong Kong kung fu movies.

• Verified AKAs:
  • Shanghai 13 – International English title
  • Shanghai Thirteen – Alternate English title
  • The Shanghai Thirteen – Alternate English release title
  • Shang Hai Tan Shi San Tai Bao – Mandarin Pinyin
  • Shanghai Tan Shi San Tai Bao – Alternate Mandarin romanization
  • Sheung Hoi Taan Sap Saam Taai Bou – Cantonese romanization
  • 上海灘十三太保 – Original Traditional Chinese title
  • 上海滩十三太保 – Simplified Chinese title
• Director: Chang Cheh
• Screenplay: Chang Cheh, Ni Kuang
• Studio: Chang Hong Channel Film & Video Co., Ltd.
• Starring: Jimmy Wang Yu, Ti Lung, Chiang Sheng, Chen Kuan Tai, Danny Lee Sau-yin, David Chiang, Lu Feng, Sun Chien, Philip Kwok, Lo Mang
• Format: DVD
• Language: English
• Running Time: 87 Minutes
• Region: All Regions
• Country: Hong Kong
• Release Year: 1984

Carefully researched and prepared for collectors of classic martial arts cinema by ClassicKungFuMovies.com.